17/1/26 - games plus mid season predictions)

[Grasser17]

Games for next Saturday (surely the weather can't win for 3 weekends)

Hemsworth vs Dearne Valley - not far for the Dearne boys to travel, I think it will be a closer game than the league table and a lot of people think but the home team to just edge it.  Hemsworth -7

Hornsea vs Burley - it's a long way for the burley boys to go (are the Uni boys back yet?), was a close high scoring game back in October and I think it will be a repeat scoreline with the home team just edging it. Hornsea -7

Leeds Corinthians vs Castleford - the home team to have a good win and keep their promotion plans on track.  Corinthians +7

Skipton vs Wheatley Hills - Skipton seem to be on abit of a revival after a poor start to the season, but I think the league leaders will be too strong even after a long bus trip. Hills +7

Thorne vs Barnsley - thorne's last win was away at Barnsley back at the start of October but since then have struggled. Going for a narrow away win. Barnsley -7

WPL vs Rotherham Phoenix - game of the week. Both teams to be pushing for that second promotion spot so I'm sure it will be a good watch, going for a narrow home win but phoenix to get 1 or 2 bonus points. WPL -7


Now it's the half way point of the season  what are thoughts for promotion and relegation ? Who's done better and who's under achieved ? It's only a bit of fun so don't take anything too serious.
 
It's 2 teams up to Y2 and definitely 1 down to Y4 maybe joined be a second team depending on what happens to leagues higher up if it's the same as last year, please correct me if I'm wrong on that.

My top two come April 25th are the current leaders, Wheatley Hills and Corinthians.

Bottom two will be Dearne valley to come bottom and Thorne to finish 11th.
I think Dearne will lose a few players once RL starts and I think Thorne after losing a few key players won't get many more W this season.

Hemsworth have being better then I thought going on the disaster they had last season. I was expecting most away games to be Walkovers if I'm totally honest.

I thought the way they won Y4 south last season and the talk from a few folk I thought Dearne would be nowhere near the bottom.

[AntiGas]

Hemsworth vs Dearne Valley - This one could be entirely dependant on which boys DV can muster. Going to back Hemsworth to pull clear on the day however. Hems +7.

Hornsea   vs Burley - Burley ever the enigma. Hornsea to be buyoed by the fact that this win pulls them clear of the bottom two. Hornsea -7.

Leeds Corinthians vs Castleford - Corinthians not lost at home yet this season, and don't fancy this Cas side to be the ones to change that. LC +7.

Skipton   vs Wheatley Hills - Credit to Skipton they've hung on and turned the season around. Sandylands becoming a bit of a stumbling block for teams. Against almost any other team in the league I give them a chance here, but Hills to march on unscathed. WH +7.

Thornensians vs Barnsley - Thorne need something and soon. Think this one gets decided by who has better individuals, and that's Barnsley for me. Barnsley +7.

West Park Leeds   vs Rotherham Phoenix - GOTW. Phoenix on a bit of a roll, and turned over WPL earlier in the season. However, WPL look to be in no mood to make friends on the back of two big wins so going to back them here on their own patch. WPL +7.

EDIT:
Apologies Grasser, missed the mid season prediction part of your post.

Wheatley Hills looks safe and dry up top with no signs of slowing down, but realistically could see any of Corinthians, Phoenix, Hemsworth or West Park Leeds all nicking that second spot. If Corinthians can hold on to all their playing members before league season, I suspect they'll be hard to dislodge.

Dearne (11th) and Thorne (12th) to go down. Agree that Dearne may get worse once their RL contingent migrate to higher tackling atmospheres, but they can win a few before then. Thorne just look down and out.

Phoenix have been my surprise of the year. They've just gotten better with each passing year, nice to see the build continue.

Agree that Dearne have probably not met the expectation many had of them before the year. They'll do well to escape the drop.


All of the above is purely philosophical, plenty of rugby to go! Best of luck all going forward!

[Locked Out]

Hems v D&V: Hems +7

Horns v Burls: Burley +7

LC v Cash: LC +7

Skips v Weatos: Weatos +7

Thorns v Barns: Barno just -7

WPL v RP: Home advantage just WPL -7

Promotion - Wheatley Hills unlikely to trip up now and would like to see WPL make a late push to get back to Y2.

Relegation - Dearne Valley for definite and need to find the right formula to stay afloat in the league and rebuild. Can't really decide between Hornsea and Thornensians but can't see Castleford taking a last minute dive.

[Grasser17]

Hemsworth 34 - 27 Dearne Valley
Hornsea 33 - 19 Burley
Leeds Corinthians 38 - 12 Castleford
Skipton 13 - 20 Wheatley Hills
Thornensians 8 - 10 Barnsley
West Park Leeds 22 - 14 Rotherham Phoenix


Hornsea getting a much needed win to leapfrog Cas and pull away from the bottom two a little bit.  Hills keeping their winning streak going but credit to Skipton for getting something out of the game. WPL getting the better of Rotherham. Thorne's losing streak continues and them and DV need to start winning soon to avoid that drop.

Any thoughts ? Roll on next week 🏉🏉